When we have a desire in our heart that is consuming our thoughts and time it is described as having a “fire in my bones.” It is a passion that burns in our heart. Jeremiah had that as a prophet of God. He couldn’t shut up what was burning in his heart.
Jeremiah 20:9
“If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot.”
Don’t Quit
Have you ever said to yourself; “That’s it! I’m done. No more!”? Have you ever wanted to quit something but couldn’t bring yourself to do it? Jeremiah had a couple of moments like that. There were times he wanted to quit, but something kept him from it. Here he is saying that “If” I never speak of the Lord again there would be a fire burning in my bones and it would make me more miserable holding it in than to speak it. Jeremiah had a fire inside that energized everything he did. That didn’t mean he enjoyed everything he did, but he knew that his motivation wasn’t his own.
Fire In My Bones
Each Christian should have this fire in their belly. They should be moved not by their appetites but by the fire of the Holy Spirit. When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, there should be a fire that is started inside of us. We can get either fan those flames or extinguish them. We fan those flames by daily times in God’s word, prayer, fellowship, and by serving Him. We extinguish those flames by ignoring those and chasing after our desires. God’s kingdom is in need of more saints who are fueled by the flames of the Holy Spirit. Ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit and to ignite a fire for Him that will fuel your life.